Senate Bill 661, Increase political contributions limits and more: Passed 20 to 18 in the Senate

To increase the maximum campaign contributions allowed by state election law, index these to inflation, and require additional finance reports from candidates. The bill would also establish that third party "issue ads" that do not expressly advocate the election of a candidate need not include a disclosure of who paid for the ad, and allow the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the legislature to raise and spend money promoting their preferred candidates in primary elections.

To establish a comprehensive regulatory regime for production and sale by pharmacies of “pharmaceutical-grade cannabis" to individuals with a debilitating medical condition, contingent on the federal government reclassifying marijuana from an illegal drug to a prescription drug. Michigan's voter-initiated medical marijuana law establishes a regulatory framework for patients or authorized caregivers growing their own; companies seeking “commercialized” distribution lobbied for this bill.

To revise nursing licensure regulations to provide a wider "scope of practice" for "advanced practice registered nurses," potentially allowing these health care professionals to provide some services that current law only permits physicians to perform, subject to numerous restrictions and specific requirements.

House Bill 5070, Authorize criminal penalties on residential property “squatters”: Passed 91 to 19 in the House

To authorize criminal penalties for a “squatter” who illegally occupies a residence, including up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for second and subsequent violations. “Squatter” is defined by the bill as someone who “at any time during that period of occupancy, occupied the property with the owner's consent for an agreed-upon consideration” but not a “guest or a family member of the owner or a tenant.”

House Bill 4546, Increase marketing “assessments” imposed on potato growers: Passed 73 to 37 in the House

To increase the maximum "assessment" that can be levied on growers under a government potato marketing scheme, with exceptions for smaller growers; revise the constituents represented on the board of political appointees authorized to determine the level of assessments; and revise details of a potato grower referendum on assessments.

Senate Bill 35, Authorize criminal penalties for nonpayment of “administrative hearing bureau” fines: Passed 105 to 5 in the House

To authorize criminal penalties for failing to pay fines imposed by “administrative hearing bureaus” that most cities are allowed to create for enforcing "blight violations" under a 2003 law, with some exceptions. Under that law, cities already have the power to place a lien against the property. The bill would authorize additional fines of $500, 93 days in jail for a second offense, and up to a year for a third offense.

Senate Bill 38, Authorize wage garnishment for nonpayment of “administrative hearing bureau” fines: Passed 95 to 15 in the House

To allow a local government to garnish the wages of a property owner who has failed to pay fines imposed by “administrative hearing bureaus” that most cities are allowed to create for enforcing "blight violations" under a 2003 law.

House Bill 4782, Expand a corporate/developer subsidy regime: Passed 87 to 23 in the House

To authorize creation of a sixth “Next Michigan Development Corporation,” which is a government agency that gives tax breaks and subsidies to particular corporations or developers selected by political appointees on the entity's board for projects meeting extremely broad "multi-modal commerce" criteria (basically, any form of goods-related commerce). The new entity would be in the Upper Peninsula.

House Bill 4688, Repeal licensure mandate on dietitians and nutritionists: Passed 71 to 39 in the House

To repeal a law that imposes a licensure mandate on dietitians and nutritionists. The mandate has not been enforced since it was authorized in 2006 because the state licensure agency was unable to devise acceptable credentialing and education requirements.

SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Please visit http://www.MichiganVotes.org.

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